How can we be so connected to people all over the world and not see the pain in our own backyards? How can we chat with 8 people at the same time and pretend not to see the tell tale marks of abuse in our neighbor’s house? Why are we so cowardly not to address the obvious? Do we honestly think we won’t be affected if we choose to turn away? Do we seriously think purposely choosing to ignore these blatant situations is somehow better for ourselves and our family?

If you are a believer in Christ we need to ask serious questions of ourselves. Is it more important to have a fellowship meal in the safety of our church walls or is it more important to take the food out to the community? And I’m not talking a logistical nightmare of determining who or who is not in need. I’m just saying do we take a meal out to the neighbors who drive past our church everyday and just try to have a relationship with them. These horrible atrocities happen behind closed doors. We have to find ways to get the doors open and get involved with people no matter how messy we think they are.

Did we buy houses next to people we only go to church with? Do we only associate with people who think and believe the same way we do? What on earth on we doing with the natural opportunities God placed before us with the people we have been living next to for 10 years? Are we more irritated by the choices our neighbors make or can we find the love we are suppose to have to get involved in messy people’s lives. When the Bible tells us to turn the other cheek it didn’t say close our eyes too. Aren’t we all a little messy?

If our faith or human decency won’t drive us to at least get to know the people around us, are we so base that we need the social and financial reasons to step up? Just because we won’t stand up for the weak, doesn’t mean we won’t be affected. It’s a lie to think if we don’t get involved we won’t be hurt. We’ll pay through the nose for through taxes for incarceration, counseling, and public assistance. Our kids will go to school with hurting kids. Our kids will be taught by hurting adults.

We have no choice but to get involved in people’s lives. We have to ask questions of those we know deep down would never dream of hurting a child. But times are tough and people are so stressed and so hopeless they do things they couldn’t imagine of themselves. When people don’t know what else to do or who else to turn to, when they are backed into a corner they come out fighting. And more and more, an innocent child is in the way.

We know these things happen behind closed doors. If we aren’t willing to open them at the very least we have to be willing to open our doors. We have to let people know they are not mere things, or a number, or just a face in the crowd. It all comes down to treating others the way you want to be treated. We’re all in this together. We have to take a stand.

Are you someone who people turn away from ? Without judgement or condemnation, how can we all help? Email me at carissafiggins@gmail.com

Are you tired of turning away? Is there someone in your life you need to stand up for? Again, how can we all help you?